Putt-Putt Joins the Parade
- April 17, 2014
- Humongous Entertainment
In "Putt-Putt® Joins the Parade," players help Putt-Putt prepare for the Cartown Pet Parade by solving problems and interacting with charming characters. This fun and educational game introduces concepts of thinking ahead, dealing with unexpected issues, and helping others, with exciting new options available in each playthrough. Recommended for children, but even adults may find it hard to resist getting in on the action.
Reviews
- The game is a nostalgic trip for many players, bringing back fond memories of childhood.
- It's a great introductory game for young children, teaching them basic computer skills and problem-solving.
- The colorful graphics and charming animations make it enjoyable for kids, with simple objectives that keep them engaged.
- The game is very short, taking only about 30 minutes to complete, which may not justify the price for some players.
- Graphics and controls feel outdated, which can detract from the experience for modern gamers.
- Limited gameplay mechanics and lack of variety in activities can make the game feel repetitive after a few playthroughs.
- graphics25 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The graphics in these games have evolved significantly from early text-based adventures to fully interactive visuals, with notable contributions from developers like Sierra On-Line and LucasArts. While some titles, particularly from Humongous Entertainment, feature charming 2D cartoon-like graphics that have aged well, others struggle with compatibility on modern hardware, leading to mixed experiences. Overall, the art style and graphical quality vary widely, with some games praised for their nostalgic appeal and engaging design, while others face criticism for technical issues and outdated visuals.
“This time we've got ourselves vector-based graphical illustrations.”
“The reason for it is exactly that – a mix between the warm aftertaste of mother's bedtime stories and incredible animated visuals.”
“[i]Putt Putt Joins the Parade[/i] is anything one could ever want in a game, alluring graphics, each pixel commendable to be etched into the halls of the Sistine Chapel, incredible gameplay, constantly keeping the player on their toes, and an affluent convoluted narrative that both emulates, and arguably, surpasses the classics throughout history.”
“Graphics don't hold up.”
“This game is easy for her to navigate, but its graphics are really stretching and I can't change the resolution or get a menu on the game.”
“This is a humongous first game that has graphical and widescreen issues on newer monitors.”
- story16 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as simple yet engaging, featuring a basic premise that evolves into more complex and humorous narratives, such as a car's quest for a parade and a child's morally ambiguous adventures. While some players find the storytelling intense and captivating, others criticize it for lacking depth and emotional weight, likening it to a children's cartoon. Overall, the variability in quests adds a layer of excitement, making it appealing for younger audiences despite its simplistic nature.
“A story that begins as a basic search for your lost puppy evolves into something much more complex and morally nuanced.”
“I have beaten this game many times to know that the story is gripping.”
“The storyline is pretty exciting; I really like that the quests change with every new game started.”
“The story is simple; a car wants to go to a parade, needs a pet, finds a stray, and there's a subplot about a mother car losing her baby and being too lazy to find them herself.”
“The puzzles aren't challenging, the story doesn't have much of a drive since it has all the emotion and weight of a Saturday morning toddler's cartoon, and the extra features in the world wear out quickly, making for a very vapid experience.”
“The story and gameplay have my 3-year-old liking it, but it's really kind of stretching it compared to the others I've downloaded because it is one of the earlier games.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally described as simple and limited, making it suitable for young children and educational purposes. While some reviews highlight its basic mechanics, others praise the engaging graphics and narrative, suggesting that it effectively captures the attention of its audience. Overall, it serves as a foundational experience for younger players, with potential for improvement in future titles.
“Putt Putt joins the Parade is anything one could ever want in a game, alluring graphics, each pixel commendable to be etched into the halls of the Sistine Chapel, incredible gameplay, constantly keeping the player on their toes, and an affluent convoluted narrative that both emulates, and arguably, surpasses the classics throughout history.”
“Gameplay was magnificent.”
“The game was intended for young kids, so the gameplay isn't that long. Plus, this was their first attempt to create a computer game, so give them mercy as their later games do get better.”
“Limited game mechanics.”
“The gameplay is very simple.”
“The game was intended for young kids, so the gameplay isn't that long. This was their first attempt to create a computer game, so give them some mercy as their later games do get better.”
- music5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising it as the "best game soundtrack ever," while others find it simplistic and potentially unappealing. Overall, the soundtrack contributes to the game's charm, despite its pixel graphics and basic composition.
“I started it, hearing the familiar music and seeing this purple little car; I knew I was ready to play once more.”
“Best game soundtrack ever.”
“The music, the clickable things, the character voices.”
“5 / 10 music.”
“The pixel graphics and simple music might not interest some, but this is a charming title nonetheless!”
- humor4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke laughter through clever storytelling and amusing animations, with players noting moments that elicit genuine amusement, such as the unexpected "the end" message. Additionally, the game's charming and responsive design contributes to its overall comedic appeal, making it enjoyable for both children and adults.
“This game takes about 30 minutes to complete, and I'll be honest, I burst out laughing when the game said 'the end.'”
“As a child, this game was adorable, funny, and amazingly responsive; everything you cared to click would play a little animation.”
“Which is a funny story, by the way.”
“Listened to some unfunny animals patronize my shopping experience.”
“The jokes fell flat and felt forced, making the humor cringe-worthy.”
“I expected witty banter, but instead got tired clichés that missed the mark.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game offers high replayability due to changing items in each playthrough, making it enjoyable to revisit. However, some users feel that the overall playtime is limited, leading to a perception of low replay value, suggesting it may be better to purchase during a sale.
“This game is charming and has great replay value with the items changing each time.”
“So, as you can imagine, the replay value is incredibly low.”
“It was 100% worth it for that price, but I'd definitely wait for a sale (even 50% off) since there is such little playtime and zero replayability.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players have reported that the game evokes strong emotional responses, with some expressing that it brought them to tears. The narrative and themes resonate deeply, prompting reflections on personal struggles and spirituality.
“This game made me cry.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly with the lawn mowing mini-game, though it is optional. Many express frustration with the experience grinding required, but note that reaching level 25 significantly eases the process once players unlock powerful abilities.
“Indeed, there is a lot of experience grinding, and that's a problem most players have with this game.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy is perceived as a nostalgia-driven cash grab, effectively capitalizing on players' fond memories to generate revenue.
“If the goal was to put these games on Steam just for a nostalgia cash grab, then it's working really well.”
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative, as it prioritizes profit over player experience.”
“I can't believe how much they charge for basic features that should be included in the game.”